Centripetal separator



Nov. 1, 1932.

w. c. LALJGHLIN CENTRIPETAL SEPARATOR Filed June 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 :g um i E: :51 n5;

Nov. 1, 1932. w, LAUGHUN 1,885,735

CENTRI'PETAL SEPARATOR Filed Jilne 16, 1930 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED mm C. M'UGELIN, 0B GLENDALE, GALHORNIA, ASSIGNQR T6 THE L. A. B. COM.- PANY, OF YORK, IN. $21, A CORPORATION 0F NEW Y0 i;

cnurmnrar. snrnnnroni Application filed June 18,

This invention relates to separators, and more particularly to a device and means for separating solids of difierent specific gravities when contained in a liquid medium. The

' invention is particularly applicable to suspensions of pulp in water and provides for the separation and removal of floating material and of heavy particles such as sand the present invention by providing a tank in which a slow rotary motion is imparted to the pulp sus ension. A considerable increase in area is a orded for the suspension so that the liquid feed is spread out over the area of the tank, and permits the heavier particles to readily settle, and by the centripetal force, bring said particles to 'a suitable central hopper. The fighter impurities which float upon the surface of the liquid may beremoved at intervals to prevent them from accumulating and interfering with the eflicient operation of the tank. The slow rotary motion of the liquid causes the solid particles to move toward and accumulate at the center of the tank; hence the device will be referred to as a centripetal separator.

The invention also consistsin certain new and original features of construction and combinations of par-ts hereinafter set forth and claimed. I

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims a ended hereto, the invention itself, as to its 0 ects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a 'separator conrose. serial in. semen,

structed in accordance with the present in vention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modified 55 form of separator;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a further modified form of separator; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof.

Like reference characters denote like parts m in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description' and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a tank .10 which may be of any suitable size, dependent upon the quantity of material to be treated. Said tank is of cylindrical form and is provided witha hopper 11 in which the solid particles are collected. A discharge pipe 12 is inserted in the wall of said tank adjacent the top thereof and is provided with a valve 13 for the purpose to be described. A weir 14 is also formed about the top of said tank and communicates with a discharge pipe 15.

A cover 16, provided with a central cylinso drical bafie 17 is secured over the top of tank 10 in an convenient manner, as by flange 20 which is in threaded engagement with flange 21 formed on tank 10.. It is obvious that this form of support is illustrative only and ma be modified to suit the reuirements of t e particular installation. a inlet spout 22 is formed in cover 16 in a position to apply liquid to the tank between the outer wall thereof and bafie 17. A stirgo tively. Said shaft is provided with a beveled gear 30'cooperating with a second beveled gear 31 which is mounted on shaft 32 and driven from pulley 33 by any convenient source of power. A pair of bearing members 34 and 35 are mounted onthe top 16 and serve to support shaft 32 in the desired position. Shoulder 36 of shaft 25 forms a thrust bearing for preventing Vertical movement of said shaft.

Hopper 11 communicates with a way of illustration. It is to be understood that the various details, such as the form and shape of the apparatus and the supports for the rotating members, may be varied in a manner whichwill be readily apparent to any person skilled in the art.

In the operation of the above described device the liquid containing solids in suspension, as, for example, paper pulp in water suspension, is applied to spout 22 and-passes downwardly between baffle 17 and the wall of tank 10 and thence upwardly within baffle 17 and is discharged over top 16 into weir 14. A slow rotational movement is imparted to the liquid in tank 10 by paddles 23 to which power is applied through the mechanism above described. This movement causes the higher gravity sediment, such as sand and dirt to move toward the center and fall out of the liquid and to be collected in spout 37 fr0m which it may be removed as desired by suitable operation of valve 38. The slow current flow of the fluid is sufficient to maintain the pulp in suspensionwhile the sand and other particles settle out but must not be sufficient to set up centrifugal action.

and throw the sediment to the periphery of the tank.

It is to be noted that valve 38 is mounted at an angle to the horizontal so that the sedi ment will tend to accumulate in the lower portion thereof. Thegreater portion of the sediment. can thus be removed by a slight opening of the valve which will prevent substantial discharge of the liquid under treatment.

As the. operation is continued, floating particles and lighter impurities, such as grease, will accumulate at the top of tank 10. They may be removed as desired through pipe 12 by suitable operation of valve 13 or by scraping ofl' top of liquid. The pulp suspension flows over top 16 into weir 14 and may be removed through pipe 15in a substantially clean condition.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the various elements corresponding to those shownin Fig. 2 are given similar reference numerals. In this form, however, cover-45 is applied to the central portion of the tank and is supported by suitable" spider 46. Bafiie 17 is mounted on cover 45 and supports paddles 23 and the driving mechanism in the manner above described. A disdischarge spout 37 having a sliding valve 38 formed charge pipe 47 having a valve 48 is applied to bafile 17 for removing the fl'oating material from the top of'the liquid contained therein. Supply spout 49 is formed in cover 45 in a position to apply liquid to the center of the tank within bafiie 17. In this form of the invention the li uid which is applied within bafiie 17, passes ownwardly under said bafile and thence upwardly around the sides of the tank over which it flows into weir 14. The operation of this form of the invention .is

similar to that of the'form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that the current flow is reversed and extends from the center of the tank to the periphery thereof.

' In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a tank 70 is provided with a hopper 71 having a valve 72 associated.

therewith which is similar in construction to tank 10, hopper 11 and valve 38 of Fig. 2. A cover 73 is secured to tank 70 and carries downwardly extending central baflle 74. Overflow weir 7 5 is located around tank 10 and communicates with pipe 76. An inlet pipe 77 is inserted in tank 70 in a position to apply liquid in a substantially tangential direction thereto. The liquid pressure may be such that a slow rotational movement is imparted to the liquid within tank 70 similar to that imparted by paddles 23 to the liquid within tank 10. The heavy particles are accordingly deposited in hopper 71 while the it is preferable to maintain the rate of movement'of the liquid within the tank comparatively slow in order to prevent the heavy particles from being-thrown to the periphery of the tank due to centri fu al action. The apparatus may be operated substantially continuously and serves to remove both the heav particles and the light floating material. rom the suspension without interfering with the suspension itself. It is particularly applicable to paper pulp, but it is obvious that it may be used for other liquids, as, for example, clay, coal or graphite suspenslons. These and other uses will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The slow current flow maintains the pul and allows the heavier materlal to fall to the bottom of the tank and the centripetal force exerted by the slowly rotating liquid moves the settlings to the center of the tank and deposits them in-the hopper.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

in suspension weaves 'What is claimed is: u

1. The precess oi else a which comprises appl "ng said suension to a tank and causing t a same to ow down-= wardly and thence upwardly in said tank, causing slow rotary movement of said suspension whereby the heavy particles are discharged centrally thereof, and removing the floating particles from the to of said suspension prior to said downwar passage. 7

2. A cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially circular tank having a stationary cylindrical baflle mounted coaxially thereof and extending downwardly-therein, rotatin members mounted between said tank and said bafie for causin slow rotational movement of the materia therein and a central hopper having a discha'r e valve at the bot-. tom of said tank, said V vs being adapted to permit removalof solid articles and substantially prevent remov of liquid therefrom. V

3. A cleaning a paratus comprising a tank, adownwar y extending stationary bafile mounted therein, rotating members 0- sitioned between said tank and said baflle or causin rotational movement of the contents of sai tank, means for introduc' liquid between said tank and said bafile, an means.

for dischar theliquidwhich has passed under Said? said tank- 4. A cleaning pparatus comprisinaf a cir- 'v cular. tank, a stationary c lindric balfle mounted axially hereof, a c osure extending between said bafiie andsaid tank, an inlet spout in said closure, an overflow weir surrounding said tank and adapted to receive liquid which has flowed from said bafiie and over said closure, and a rotating member mounted within said tank and extending between said bafle and said tank Y causing rotary movement of theliquid therein.

5. A device for treating liquids compris-' ing a tank, a cover for a ortion ofsaid tank, a stationary downwar y extending baflle secured thereto, a rotating member mounted on said cover, said member having paddles extending between said tank and said baflie and means for causing rotation thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. G. LAUGHLIN.

einto the central portion of 

